DUCK-SHOOTING. Teo 
the red-heads and canvas-backs—had preceded us, 
and were still directing their flight; and then 
started for the few dim trees that we knew sur- 
rounded the club-house, rousing in our course im- 
mense flocks of the worthless American coot, Fulica 
Americana, the mud-hen of the natives. 
The wharf reached, the boats landed, supper over, 
the birds counted and registered, the social pipe il- 
lumined, and we gathered in a circle round the fire 
of our parlor for improving conversation. 
“How many birds have we killed this year?” in- 
quired a member. 
“The record shows a goodly total of 2,351,” re- 
plied the Secretary, turning to the register; “al- 
most as many already as the entire return of last 
season, during which we only killed 2,908.” 
“And the better varieties seem this year to be 
more numerous.” , 
“Tn that particular there is surprising uniformity 
from year to year. Last season the return is made 
wp as follows: canvas-backs, 246; red-heads, 122; 
~plue-bills, 395; mallards, 540; dusky-ducks, 108; 
wood-ducks, 601; blue-winged teal, 474; green- 
winged teal, 39; widgeons, 204; pin-tails, 50; gad- 
walls, 67; spoonbills, 11; ruddy-ducks, 2; butter- 
balls, 7; geese, 2; quail, 14; cormorants, 2 5 
turkeys, 3; great hell-diver, 1; and this year the 
average is about the same.” 
“But I think,” said the President, “the canvas- 
backs and red-heads are earlier and better than 
usual.” 
